1 Week Old

I went to see Lorena on Wednesday.  She was no longer jaundice and didn't require the light anymore.  She looks so much more peaceful and can rest much better now.  They didn't try to feed her on Wednesday, as the nurses were still sucking green bile from the tube in her stomach.  Overall, she had a good day though.

Dan and I went to see Lorena on Thursday since it rained.  I got to hold her again for 45 minutes!  We also had a care conference with our nurse practitioner, Deb.  Overall the conference went well.  Deb continually said she was doing "amazing," and kept saying, "seriously, she is doing amazing!"  We are so thankful that she is doing great.  Thank God.  She had a routine sonogram of her brain yesterday to look for brain bleeds, which are common among preemies, especially born at 23 or 24 weeks.  Lorena was born 1 day shy of 28 weeks.  Her brain looked perfect with no bleeds!  She will have another routine sonogram in a month.  Such a relief for Mommy and Daddy.  Deb also said that Lorena had a bit of a heart murmur when she was born (which is common for preemies) but they don't hear it now.  It seems to be healing on its own but they will continue to monitor it.  Deb again said that her kidneys, skin condition, and breathing are great.  She is doing amazing on the CPAP machine and hasn't required oxygen (except for a few hours) over the last few days.  Deb started feedings again Thursday.  2 milliliters in her tube 2 times a day.  We are hopeful that her stomach will be able to digest the colostrum this time around.  Basically Lorena's organs are all perfect except they are underdeveloped.  They can't test her eyes until 32 weeks gestation.  They will look to see if the vessels are growing normally that attach to her retina.  A lot of babies require laser eye surgery (especially if they are born at 23 or 24 weeks) but since Lorena was born at 28 weeks, the chances are slim that she will require surgery.  I am worried about this but we won't know anything until she sees the pediatric eye doctor in 3 or 4 weeks. She just needs to rest and grow.  She weighs 2 pounds now.  She has dropped 20% of her body weight which is normal for preemies.

1 week old

Deb also said that when she is released, we will have to be extra careful.  Lorena shouldn't be around any kids and adults must wash/disinfect their hands if they want to hold her.  She will be coming home during flu season which doesn't help matters either. Right now I am working with my boss and HR to figure out some way for this all to work.  Please pray that this all works to benefit Lorena.

I have realized that Lorena is a very strong girl, much stronger than I am right now.  She is doing so well now and I think it is her way of telling me that I need to toughen up and be strong for myself.  I hate leaving her but it is mentally and physically exhausting to be there everyday.  I am staying close to home today.  Kate (Dan's sister) is picking me up soon and we are going to Marysville.  Dan and I will go see Lorena on Saturday. ~ Lydia


1 week old